How to download Pokemon Go in Ireland on Apple iOS and Android smartphones

Irish Pokemon Go players can start playing the game today if they follow these simple steps

Pokemon Go launched in the UK this morning, sending millions of eager trainers grabbing their Apple iOS and Android devices to download the game in lightning fast time.

This follows the game launching in Australia, New Zealand, United States and more recently Germany.

Unfortunately potential Pokemon Go players in Ireland are still waiting for the game to launch officially through their own app stores.

However there is a reliable workaround for either mobile device which we've tested ourselves.

And since the app is already fully working, with Pokéstops, Gyms and Pokémon all over the Ireland, you don't 'technically' have to wait for the official app to launch if you want to experience everything the game has to offer.

There have been some reports of malicious malware on Android phones, but if you're careful enough, it's possible to avoid these pitfalls altogether.

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How to get Pokémon Go on my Apple iPhone/iPad?

Step 1. Log out of your current Apple ID on your iPhone. You can do this by opening the App Store, clicking the Featured tab and scrolling right to the bottom. Tap your Apple ID and then hit ‘Sign out’.

Step 2. Go to your Settings > General > Language & Region and change the region of your device to the UK, Germany, US, Australia or New Zealand.

Step 3. Head to the app store and you can now see and download the app.

Step 4. Before it starts downloading you'll be prompted to create a new Apple ID associated with an address in the states. This isn't as difficult as it sounds. Go through each step and when it gets to billing select ‘None’.

Step 5. It'll then ask for a address based on the country you selected. A quick search on google should provide you with a random address generator for your specific country.

Step 6. Pokémon GO should now start downloading. Get ready to start capturing those Pokémon!

How to get Pokémon Go on my Android smartphone?

This is a little more tricky and in a roundabout way, slightly more dangerous. So think carefully before deciding to follow the next steps.

There have been some reports of malicious software appearing in various Pokémon Go APK (Android application package) files so we advise that everyone make sure to check reviews before downloading anything. Or better yet, just wait for the app to be officially released in the UK.

Step 1. Download the Pokémon Go game from an APK download site such as APKPure.com. You'll ideally want to do this direct from your phone. However if you can't, you can do it from your PC. It's not that big, only 58.1MB file size at the current time of writing.

Step 2. If you're using a PC to download the APK, attach your phone to the PC with your USB and drag the downloaded file to your Downloads folder on the phone.

Step 3. Disconnect the phone and go to Settings > Security and enable installation of apps from unknown sources.

Step 4. You can now hit Pokémon Go in your Downloads folder and install the game. Hey presto!

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Obviously, you can decide to wait for the game to release officially in the coming days/weeks.

However as we've touched on before, you could find yourself significantly disadvantaged compared to those players who've had a head start by following the steps above.